Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1.3
International Satellite Collaboration and Coordination
The complexity of the world's satellite systems and programs led to the develop-
ment of coordinating groups to better leverage satellite resources and share their
data. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) was formed from a call to action by
the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. The World Summit
recognized that international collaboration was critical for exploiting the growing
potential of Earth observations to support decision making in an increasingly
complex world. GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international
organizations. It provides a framework where partners can develop new strategies
and projects and coordinate their investments.
To improve efforts to apply satellite observations, GEO coordinates efforts to
build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). GEOSS will
provide a broad range of societal benefits including reducing the loss of life and
property, improving human health, managing energy resources, adapting to climate
variability and change, improving water resource management and weather
forecasts, protecting coastal marine and marine ecosystems, supporting sustainable
agriculture, and monitoring and conserving biodiversity. GEOSS coordinates
numerous complex issues. This crosscutting approach avoids duplication,
encourages synergies between systems, and ensures substantial economic, societal,
and environmental benefits.
GEOSS provides decision-support tools to a wide variety of users. GEOSS is a
global and flexible network of content providers allowing decision makers to access
an extraordinary range of information at their desk. This “system of systems” links
together observing systems around the world. It promotes common technical
standards, so satellite data from the numerous instruments can be fused into
integrated data sets. The “GEOPortal” offers users a single Internet access point for
data, imagery, and analytical software packages. It connects users to existing
databases of observations, tools, and software. It provides reliable, up-to-date infor-
mation critical for the work of decision makers, planners, and emergency managers.
Users with limited or no access to the Internet will be able to use satellite information
available via the “GEONETCast” telecommunication satellite network where data is
broadcast to field systems with small portable antennas (information on GEO and
GEOSS is derived from
http://www.earthobservations.org/about_geo.shtml
)
.
Another key satellite group, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
(CEOS), was established in 1984. CEOS coordinates civil spaceborne Earth
observations. Members enhance international coordination and data exchange for
societal benefit and represent space agencies as well as national and international
organizations. Members participate in planning and related CEOS activities
through a variety of working groups; one is related to climate applications.
CEOS established a Working Group on Climate (WGClimate) to coordinate and
encourage collaborative climate monitoring activities between the world's major
space agencies. The Working Group's mandate is to facilitate the implementation
and exploitation of the Essential Climate Variable (ECV) time series through
coordination of CEOS member activities (information on CEOS is derived from
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